Police: Meth lab found in Townsend

Three people are facing charges after Delaware State Police found a meth lab in Townsend Dec. 14.

Staff Reports

Three people are facing charges after Delaware State Police found a meth lab in Townsend Dec. 14.

Robert E. Coburn, 29, of Smyrna, and Spring L. Slater, 27, of Townsend were both arrested and charged Friday, and Richard J. Taylor, 30, who is currently incarcerated, was also linked and charged to the meth lab.

Troopers were responding to the home in the 100 block of Blackbird Forest Road at around 3:30 p.m. to check on the welfare of a six-year-old child after receiving reports of ongoing drug activity within the residence.

Responding officers found the indications of methamphetamine manufacturing in the house, and debris and waste material of the manufacturing process within in large trash piles on the exterior of the house, said spokesman Sgt. Paul G. Shavack.

A search warrant was executed, and equipment and ingredients used to manufacture meth, along with its key ingredients, police said.

Further investigation revealed that Taylor, also of Townsend, was also linked to the meth manufacturing operation.

Taylor, who is currently incarcerated at the James T. Vaughn Correction Institution on unrelated charges, is facing additional charges now of manufacturing meth, conspiracy, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Coburn III was charged with manufacturing meth, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was committed to the Howard R. Young Correction Institution on $11,750 secured bond.

Slater, who was arraigned on the same charges as Coburn, was committed to the Baylor Women's Correction Institution on the same bond.